Rock River Valley Blood Center Needs Your Help

Following the 3 day Labor Day weekend, the Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) is asking healthy, eligible donors to make appointments to donate blood and platelets to replenish the blood supply. Our Stateline hospitals need your help. Here's how to donate.

3 day holiday weekends typically see an increase in usage at area hospitals as well as a dip in collections due to donor travel and the blood center being closed on Labor Day. Blood Donors with types O, A and B (negative and positive) are needed. It's safe and simple. You are most likely able to donate if you are at least 17 years old (16 year olds may donate with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health.  Persons taking medications are not necessarily disqualified.

Just head into any of the four community donor centers throughout the area (Belvidere, Freeport, Rockford) as well as many mobile blood drives.  Log on to www.rrvbc.org for hours, directions and mobile blood drive schedules.

The Rock River Valley Blood Center serves as a centralized, community blood center and is the sole provider of blood products and services to Beloit Health Systems, Edgerton Hospital and Health Services, FHN, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, Rochelle Community Hospital, Rockford Health System, SwedishAmerican Health System and SwedishAmerican Medical Center—Belvidere.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate blood, please call toll free 877-RRVBC-99 or find RRVBC on the web at www.rrvbc.org.